Charles A. Doring, DDS ’87

This award recognizes a graduate for meritorious professional leadership and service to the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) and the community. The 2023 recipient is Charles A. Doring, DDS ’87, in recognition of his advocacy on behalf of his profession, his alma mater, and the oral health of all Maryland residents.

As an undergraduate majoring in zoology at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), Doring got the first inkling that dentistry might be the career for him when an upper front tooth began to hurt. After a sleepless night and a successful visit to his family practitioner, Doring found himself intrigued by the profession. “I began thinking, ‘maybe this is what I should do,’” he said.

A few years later, Doring completed his Bachelor of Science degree at UMCP and applied to dental school. In 1987, he completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at UMSOD. He then entered a general dental practice residency at Georgetown University Hospital where he discovered what became a life-long interest in treating children, the elderly, and physically or mentally compromised patients.

“At the hospital, I really enjoyed working with patients with complicated medical histories and liked the teamwork involved in collaborating with nurses, doctors and dieticians,” he said.

For the past 35 years, Doring has been a partner at North Bethesda Dental Associates in Rockville, Md. and has served for a decade on the medical staff at the Hebrew Home of Washington. From 1998-2022, he also was a member of the medical staff at the Rockville Nursing Home.

Throughout the years, Doring has worked in myriad leadership roles as an advocate on behalf of the dental profession and public. Since 2010, he has chaired the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Maryland State Dental Association.

“It has been extremely interesting,” Doring said of his years of legislative work. ‘What I thought would be a job that typically lasted 90 days each year has turned out to be a year-round project. To be successful, you have to maintain relationships with leadership and legislators and regulators throughout the state, throughout the year.”

Doring also is a past-president of the Southern Maryland Dental Society and a delegate to the American Dental Association House of Delegates. He has a Mastership Award from the Academy of General Dentistry as well as Fellowship in the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. A longtime believer in lifelong education, he has presented continuing education classes at myriad local and national dental and medical meetings.

At UMSOD, he has taught as a member of the Dean’s Faculty since 2004. From 1998-2009, he was a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors — serving as board president from 2006-08. Additionally, from 2017-22, he was the school of dentistry’s campaign chair during the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Catalyst Campaign.

“Ever since I graduated, I’ve always kind of been involved,” he said. “I try to be a presence whether it’s teaching a course in geriatric dentistry or conducting mock interviews with dental hygiene students or being an advisor as needed to mentor students.”